Hi - I'd like some advice regarding portacath pain please.
Insertion into chest was a few weeks ago. It was a painful procedure and my arm and shoulder swelled, and the port remained very prominent on my chest.
The port was used for chemo within the 1st week. It was very tender in IV prep'ing but once connected and in use, was much more bearable.
The arm and shoulder improved after a couple of weeks.
The port area remained tender and sensitive.
However, this week i had a nurse that clearly didn't know how to disconnect IV from a portacath. She was repeatedly told off for doing it wrong by the observing senior nurse but they still continued with junior actioning. It took her many attempts and lots of painful yanking.
My port and chest are now as painful as when first inserted. A line from the port has now surfaced that was not visible before.
Paracetamol doesn't help ease at all.
How would i know if the port has been dislodged or damaged? If I need to get it checked, who do I ask? Or is there anything I can do myself to improve things?
